Schwarzenegger says new film has universal appeal

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — For his first starring role since before serving as California's governor for seven years, Arnold Schwarzenegger says he was looking for a film with universal appeal.

Ahn Young-joon

Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger gestures during a press conference to promote his latest film "The Last Stand" in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013. The movie will open on Thursday, Feb. 21, in South Korea. (AP Photo Ahn Young-joon)

Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger gestures during a press conference to promote his latest film "The Last Stand" in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013. The movie will open on Thursday, Feb. 21, in South Korea. (AP Photo Ahn Young-joon)

Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, left, poses with South Korean director Kim Jee-woon before a press conference to promote their latest film "The Last Stand" in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013. The movie will open on Thursday, Feb. 21, in South Korea. (AP Photo Ahn Young-joon)

Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger waves as he arrives to hold a press conference to promote his latest film "The Last Stand" in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013. The movie will open on Thursday, Feb. 21, in South Korea. (AP Photo Ahn Young-joon)

Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger poses during a press conference to promote his latest film "The Last Stand" in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013. The movie will open on Thursday, Feb. 21, in South Korea. (AP Photo Ahn Young-joon)

In "The Last Stand," Schwarzenegger plays the sheriff of an Arizona town tasked with stopping a Mexican cartel boss from returning to Mexico. It's the 65-year-old's first leading role since "Terminator 3" a decade ago.

He said in Seoul on Wednesday that he tries to pick projects that "could be popular not only in America, but all over the world."

"The Last Stand," the debut Hollywood film of South Korean director Kim Jee-woon, opens in Seoul on Thursday. Schwarzenegger recalled his memories of South Korea from his bodybuilding days, saying "it's a major player in the world stage economically and in every other way."